Intravenous Nutrient Therapies

What is IV Nutrient Therapy?

Intravenous (I.V.) therapy and injection (intramuscular, subcutaneous) of vitamins, minerals and homeopathics is a safe and effective way to deliver nutrients in a timely and efficient manner. Also known as “par-enteral therapy”, substances administered by IV or injection are directly absorbed into the circulatory system, by-passing the “enteric system” or gastro-intestinal tract and liver, permitting the highest level of nutrient absorption (near or at 100%).

What are the Advantages to IV Nutrient Therapy

For individuals with compromised intestinal absorption (i.e. cancer, Chron’s, IBS, ulcerative colitis, etc.), IV therapy allows for 100% absorption of the nutrients delivered and thereby offers enormous therapeutic value over oral administration. In addition, I.V. therapy enables rapid delivery of higher concentrations of medicines that may otherwise not be possible by oral means. Therefore, for individuals who are severely depleted or in need of high and rapid absorption of nutrients, I.V. therapy is extremely beneficial and strongly recommended.

Intramuscular (and in some cases, subcutaneous) injection of nutrients (i.e. B12, folic acid) also allows for higher absorption of the substance being administered and since the skin and muscle act as a time-release delivery system, smaller amounts of nutrient are absorbed (although more completely than by oral means) over a period of time.

For those individuals who are generally healthy and interested in “anti-aging” or simply preventative medicine, parenteral therapies offer delivery of high concentrations of potent anti-oxidants to combat oxidative stress which is a marker of premature aging, degenerative diseases and pre-cancerous states.

What Substances are Administered?

The type of parenteral therapy (i.e. I.V. and/or injection) will vary depending on the condition and the purpose of the treatment. Naturopathic treatment is individualized according to the patient and the treatment goals. Various vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, botanicals, anti-oxidants and homeopathics may be safely administered parenterally to enhance the therapeutic response and it is often prescribed as part of a complete, holistic and individualized treatment plan.